MLA

The Modern Language Association: A Comprehensive Guide to Formatting Papers and Citing Sources

The Modern Language Association (MLA), an American organization dedicated to the study of languages and literature, has been setting the standards for paper formatting and reference citations since 1951. With the most recent edition published in 2021, the MLA style is widely used by writers in the arts and humanities.

If you're looking to adhere to the MLA style guide, here are the steps you should follow:

Use standard paper size of 8.5x11 inches
Set 1-inch margins on all sides
Choose a 12-point font, like Times New Roman
Double-space all text
Indent the first line of each paragraph by half an inch
Include your last name and page number on the top right corner of every page

The MLA style is periodically updated, with the current edition being the ninth. It is expected that future updates will be made as needed to keep up with the evolving needs of writers.

Citing sources is a crucial aspect of using outside material in a paper. This not only allows readers to easily locate and verify the information but also strengthens the credibility of the paper.

As per the MLA formatting guidelines, a works cited page is required at the end of the paper. All sources used in the paper should be included following these specific requirements:

The title "Works Cited" should be centered and not in italics or bold
Set 1-inch margins on all sides
Include your last name and page number on the top right corner of every page
Double-space between citations
Citations should be listed alphabetically by the author's last name
Utilize hanging indents for all citations

A hanging indent is a formatting style where the first line of a citation is not indented, but all subsequent lines are indented. This approach is required in MLA and other formatting styles, such as APA.

When citing PDFs, the source type can vary, creating a challenge for writers. For instance, it may be a PDF of a book or a report. In MLA, PDFs should be cited based on the original source type. For example, a PDF of a book would follow the guidelines for citing a book.

DOI stands for Digital Object Identifier, which provides a permanent web address for published articles. Including DOIs in MLA citations is essential as it helps readers easily locate the sources for further research and enhances the credibility of your paper.

Similar to any formatting guide, MLA has its advantages and drawbacks. When given the option, writers should consider the information they want to present and determine the most coherent way to organize it for the reader. Another commonly used formatting style is APA, the American Psychological Association's guide. The following chart outlines the key differences between MLA and APA formatting.